ALEX Lesson Plans

Title: My adventure with Lewis & Clark
Description:
Over the course of five days, students will create a daily journal in the style of Lewis and Clark. At the end of the week, the students will create a video using their Flip cameras recreating their journals.
Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 10: Describe political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States, including the War of 1812, the Indian Removal Act, the Texas-Mexican War, the Mexican-American War, and the Gold Rush of 1849.

Subject: Social Studies (5), or Technology Education (3 - 5) Title: My adventure with Lewis & ClarkDescription: Over the course of five days, students will create a daily journal in the style of Lewis and Clark. At the end of the week, the students will create a video using their Flip cameras recreating their journals.

Title: Plan the Adventure of a Lifetime with Lewis and Clark!
Description:
This plan is the first lesson in my unit on Lewis and Clark. This is a project-based, hands-on unit in which students "become" part of the Corps of Discovery - the members traveling in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In this lesson, the students will be introduced to Lewis and Clark and our daily routine for the unit. We will then create a three-dimensional raised-relief physical map of the United States on which to track our journey and plan what to take on the trip.
Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 10: Describe political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States, including the War of 1812, the Indian Removal Act, the Texas-Mexican War, the Mexican-American War, and the Gold Rush of 1849.

Subject: Arts Education (5), or Social Studies (5) Title: Plan the Adventure of a Lifetime with Lewis and Clark!Description: This plan is the first lesson in my unit on Lewis and Clark. This is a project-based, hands-on unit in which students "become" part of the Corps of Discovery - the members traveling in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In this lesson, the students will be introduced to Lewis and Clark and our daily routine for the unit. We will then create a three-dimensional raised-relief physical map of the United States on which to track our journey and plan what to take on the trip.

Title: Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion
Description:
Students engage in a discussion of "Manifest Destiny" using a timeline of events from 1830 - 1860, and a biographical sketch of a real person who lived during that time period. During the discussion, students will use the biography to interpret and infer how the real person might have felt. A discussion guide is provided. Students provide a written answer to the final discussion question to summarize their understanding of the issue.
Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 10: Describe political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States, including the War of 1812, the Indian Removal Act, the Texas-Mexican War, the Mexican-American War, and the Gold Rush of 1849.

Subject: English Language Arts (5), or Social Studies (5) Title: Manifest Destiny and Westward ExpansionDescription: Students engage in a discussion of "Manifest Destiny" using a timeline of events from 1830 - 1860, and a biographical sketch of a real person who lived during that time period. During the discussion, students will use the biography to interpret and infer how the real person might have felt. A discussion guide is provided. Students provide a written answer to the final discussion question to summarize their understanding of the issue.

Title: American Inventors
Description:
Students will learn about 8 American inventors from the 1800's. They will use the internet of encyclopedia disc to research and print pictures and information about these people.
Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 13: Describe social and economic influences on United States' expansion prior to World War I.

Subject: Social Studies (5) Title: American InventorsDescription: Students will learn about 8 American inventors from the 1800's. They will use the internet of encyclopedia disc to research and print pictures and information about these people.

Thinkfinity Lesson Plans

Title: Lewis and Clark Expedition: Create Your Own Adventure
Description:
In this student activity, from Xpeditions, students relive the spirit of Lewis and Clark by planning their own expedition. The Lewis and Clark Expedition of two hundred years ago embodied a spirit of adventure, curiosity, and exploration that is as exciting today as it was in the early 1800s. To capture that spirit, students imagine a journey through an unknown place. They choose a place that they have never visited, but would love to explore. Together with their family, students plan out their trip, imagining what they would like to learn, how they would travel, and what obstacles they might encounter along the way.
Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 10: Describe political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States, including the War of 1812, the Indian Removal Act, the Texas-Mexican War, the Mexican-American War, and the Gold Rush of 1849.

Subject: Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - United States HistoryTitle: Lewis and Clark Expedition: Create Your Own AdventureDescription: In this student activity, from Xpeditions, students relive the spirit of Lewis and Clark by planning their own expedition. The Lewis and Clark Expedition of two hundred years ago embodied a spirit of adventure, curiosity, and exploration that is as exciting today as it was in the early 1800s. To capture that spirit, students imagine a journey through an unknown place. They choose a place that they have never visited, but would love to explore. Together with their family, students plan out their trip, imagining what they would like to learn, how they would travel, and what obstacles they might encounter along the way.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

Title: Exploring Cross-Age Tutoring Activities With Lewis and Clark
Description:
Interaction and adventure draws high school and elementary school students together as they analyze stories about the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (9) 12: Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them. [RI.9-10.3]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Exploring Cross-Age Tutoring Activities With Lewis and ClarkDescription: Interaction and adventure draws high school and elementary school students together as they analyze stories about the Lewis and Clark expedition.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Thomas Jefferson on the Sedition Act
Description:
In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students examine arguments put forth by Thomas Jefferson and others in opposition to the Sedition Act. They discuss Jefferson's opinion on how constitutional questions about the Sedition Act could be resolved.
Standard(s): [SS2010] US10 (10) 6: Describe relations of the United States with Britain and France from 1781 to 1823, including the XYZ Affair, the War of 1812, and the Monroe Doctrine. [A.1.a., A.1.b., A.1.d., A.1.g., A.1.i.]

Subject: Social StudiesTitle: Thomas Jefferson on the Sedition ActDescription: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students examine arguments put forth by Thomas Jefferson and others in opposition to the Sedition Act. They discuss Jefferson's opinion on how constitutional questions about the Sedition Act could be resolved.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Certain Crimes Against the United States: Consequences of the Sedition Act
Description:
This is the final lesson in the five-lesson EDSITEment curriculum unit titled Certain Crimes Against the United States: The Sedition Act. In this lesson, students explore some applications and consequences of the Sedition Act. They consider the problems governments face in balancing security needs and personal freedoms.
Standard(s): [SS2010] US10 (10) 6: Describe relations of the United States with Britain and France from 1781 to 1823, including the XYZ Affair, the War of 1812, and the Monroe Doctrine. [A.1.a., A.1.b., A.1.d., A.1.g., A.1.i.]

Subject: Social StudiesTitle: Certain Crimes Against the United States: Consequences of the Sedition ActDescription: This is the final lesson in the five-lesson EDSITEment curriculum unit titled Certain Crimes Against the United States: The Sedition Act. In this lesson, students explore some applications and consequences of the Sedition Act. They consider the problems governments face in balancing security needs and personal freedoms.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: On the Oregon Trail
Description:
In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students work with primary documents and latter-day photographs to recapture the experience of traveling on the Oregon Trail. The goals of this lesson are to learn about the pioneer experience on the Oregon Trail, to evaluate a historical re-enactment in light of documentary evidence, and to synthesize historical data through creative writing.
Standard(s):

Subject: Social StudiesTitle: On the Oregon TrailDescription: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students work with primary documents and latter-day photographs to recapture the experience of traveling on the Oregon Trail. The goals of this lesson are to learn about the pioneer experience on the Oregon Trail, to evaluate a historical re-enactment in light of documentary evidence, and to synthesize historical data through creative writing.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 6,7,8

Title: From Boomtown to Ghost Town
Description:
In this Xpeditions lesson, students discuss how a specific economic activity in a region can facilitate the creation of towns, which often turn into ghost towns if the economic activity ends. They create posters or booklets showing the '' '' life cycle'' '' of a mining town, from before its foundation to its status as ghost town.
Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 13: Describe social and economic influences on United States' expansion prior to World War I.

Subject: Science - General Science - Social Studies - Economics - Social Studies - GeographyTitle: From Boomtown to Ghost TownDescription: In this Xpeditions lesson, students discuss how a specific economic activity in a region can facilitate the creation of towns, which often turn into ghost towns if the economic activity ends. They create posters or booklets showing the '' '' life cycle'' '' of a mining town, from before its foundation to its status as ghost town.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 3,4,5

Title: On This Day with Lewis and Clark
Description:
This five-lesson unit, from EDSITEment, is designed to help students appreciate the immensity and mystery of the mission Lewis and Clark accepted. As experts investigating specific subjects assigned to Lewis by President Jefferson, students conduct careful research. Reading brief diary entries of the men of the Corps sparks the interest of students as they relive the discoveries of the original participants.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (5) 32: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on Grade 5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly. [SL.5.1]

Subject: Language Arts,Social StudiesTitle: On This Day with Lewis and ClarkDescription: This five-lesson unit, from EDSITEment, is designed to help students appreciate the immensity and mystery of the mission Lewis and Clark accepted. As experts investigating specific subjects assigned to Lewis by President Jefferson, students conduct careful research. Reading brief diary entries of the men of the Corps sparks the interest of students as they relive the discoveries of the original participants.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 3,4,5

Title: Lewis and Clark: Building a Lasting Legacy
Description:
In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students discuss the significant contributions made by Native Americans and other team members during the Lewis and Clark expedition. Students draw or make a diorama that focuses on the geographic perspective of the expedition. Teachers should conduct the lesson after students study Lewis and Clark, or after they see the large-format film Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West.
Standard(s):

Subject: Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - United States HistoryTitle: Lewis and Clark: Building a Lasting LegacyDescription: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students discuss the significant contributions made by Native Americans and other team members during the Lewis and Clark expedition. Students draw or make a diorama that focuses on the geographic perspective of the expedition. Teachers should conduct the lesson after students study Lewis and Clark, or after they see the large-format film Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 3,4,5

Title: Lewis and Clark: Facing Challenges--Real and Imagined
Description:
In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students consider how they perceive geographic features and obstacles and how the Lewis and Clark expedition members might have done so. If possible, begin the lesson before your students see the large-format film Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West, and finish it after they have seen the movie.
Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 10: Describe political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States, including the War of 1812, the Indian Removal Act, the Texas-Mexican War, the Mexican-American War, and the Gold Rush of 1849.

Subject: Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - United States HistoryTitle: Lewis and Clark: Facing Challenges--Real and ImaginedDescription: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students consider how they perceive geographic features and obstacles and how the Lewis and Clark expedition members might have done so. If possible, begin the lesson before your students see the large-format film Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West, and finish it after they have seen the movie.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 3,4,5

Title: Lewis and Clark: Same Place, Different Perspectives
Description:
In this Xpeditions lesson, students write about several encounters between the Lewis and Clark expedition and various Native American groups from the viewpoint of an expedition member or one of the Native Americans. Students can view the large-format film Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West before or after the lesson.
Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 10: Describe political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States, including the War of 1812, the Indian Removal Act, the Texas-Mexican War, the Mexican-American War, and the Gold Rush of 1849.

Subject: Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - United States HistoryTitle: Lewis and Clark: Same Place, Different PerspectivesDescription: In this Xpeditions lesson, students write about several encounters between the Lewis and Clark expedition and various Native American groups from the viewpoint of an expedition member or one of the Native Americans. Students can view the large-format film Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West before or after the lesson.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 3,4,5

Title: Lewis and Clark: Why Explore the Vast Unknown?
Description:
In this Xpeditions lesson about the Lewis and Clark expedition, students interpret a map of the West as it was known at the time, learn what President Thomas Jefferson asked Meriwether Lewis to accomplish, and explain why the expedition was important for the future of the country. This lesson can be conducted before watching the large-format film '' '' Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West.'' ''
Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 10: Describe political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States, including the War of 1812, the Indian Removal Act, the Texas-Mexican War, the Mexican-American War, and the Gold Rush of 1849.

Subject: Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - United States HistoryTitle: Lewis and Clark: Why Explore the Vast Unknown?Description: In this Xpeditions lesson about the Lewis and Clark expedition, students interpret a map of the West as it was known at the time, learn what President Thomas Jefferson asked Meriwether Lewis to accomplish, and explain why the expedition was important for the future of the country. This lesson can be conducted before watching the large-format film '' '' Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West.'' ''Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 3,4,5

Title: There's No Place Like Home
Description:
This Xpeditions lesson uses children's literature and maps to explore reasons for past and present settlement. Students give various reasons people in the past or present have chosen to settle and live in different regions of the United States. They also complete a map that traces a migration route of a pioneer family by using information from children's literature or from historical records.
Standard(s): [SS2010] ALA (4) 2: Relate reasons for European exploration and settlement in Alabama to the impact of European explorers on trade, health, and land expansion in Alabama.

Subject: Language Arts - Literature - Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - United States HistoryTitle: There's No Place Like HomeDescription: This Xpeditions lesson uses children's literature and maps to explore reasons for past and present settlement. Students give various reasons people in the past or present have chosen to settle and live in different regions of the United States. They also complete a map that traces a migration route of a pioneer family by using information from children's literature or from historical records.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 3,4,5

Title: Born on a Mountaintop? Davy Crockett, Tall Tales, and History
Description:
In this unit of four lessons, from EDSITEment, students examine tall tale characters, such as Davy Crockett, and their relationship to history. By the end of this unit, students will be able to name tall tale characters and locations that are based on actual people and places, and describe how they are used in an exaggerated way; name created characters and events from tall tales; list some of the literary characteristics of tall tales; and write a tall tale.
Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 10: Describe political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States, including the War of 1812, the Indian Removal Act, the Texas-Mexican War, the Mexican-American War, and the Gold Rush of 1849.

Subject: Social StudiesTitle: Born on a Mountaintop? Davy Crockett, Tall Tales, and HistoryDescription: In this unit of four lessons, from EDSITEment, students examine tall tale characters, such as Davy Crockett, and their relationship to history. By the end of this unit, students will be able to name tall tale characters and locations that are based on actual people and places, and describe how they are used in an exaggerated way; name created characters and events from tall tales; list some of the literary characteristics of tall tales; and write a tall tale.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 3,4,5

Web Resources

Informational Materials

Title: The Louisiana Purchase with Lewis and Clark
Description:
Informational text about the history of Lewis and Clark and the Louisiana Purchase.
Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 10: Describe political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States, including the War of 1812, the Indian Removal Act, the Texas-Mexican War, the Mexican-American War, and the Gold Rush of 1849.

Thinkfinity Learning Activities

Title: Lewis and Clark Expedition: Create Your Own Adventure
Description:
In this student activity, from Xpeditions, students relive the spirit of Lewis and Clark by planning their own expedition. The Lewis and Clark Expedition of two hundred years ago embodied a spirit of adventure, curiosity, and exploration that is as exciting today as it was in the early 1800s. To capture that spirit, students imagine a journey through an unknown place. They choose a place that they have never visited, but would love to explore. Together with their family, students plan out their trip, imagining what they would like to learn, how they would travel, and what obstacles they might encounter along the way.
Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 10: Describe political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States, including the War of 1812, the Indian Removal Act, the Texas-Mexican War, the Mexican-American War, and the Gold Rush of 1849.

Subject: Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - United States HistoryTitle: Lewis and Clark Expedition: Create Your Own AdventureDescription: In this student activity, from Xpeditions, students relive the spirit of Lewis and Clark by planning their own expedition. The Lewis and Clark Expedition of two hundred years ago embodied a spirit of adventure, curiosity, and exploration that is as exciting today as it was in the early 1800s. To capture that spirit, students imagine a journey through an unknown place. They choose a place that they have never visited, but would love to explore. Together with their family, students plan out their trip, imagining what they would like to learn, how they would travel, and what obstacles they might encounter along the way.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

Title: Gold was discovered in California in 1848.
Description:
Students read letters from the Gold Rush and follow up by writing an imaginary letter to a family member about their experience using the Letter Generator.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 22: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 19-21 above.) [W.11-12.4]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Gold was discovered in California in 1848.Description: Students read letters from the Gold Rush and follow up by writing an imaginary letter to a family member about their experience using the Letter Generator.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

Title: The Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the Pacific Ocean in 1805.
Description:
Students look at Kenneth Holder's paintings of the Lewis and Clark trail and transform their notes into a descriptive paragraph as if they were a member of the expedition.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (10) 23: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences. [W.9-10.3]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: The Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the Pacific Ocean in 1805.Description: Students look at Kenneth Holder's paintings of the Lewis and Clark trail and transform their notes into a descriptive paragraph as if they were a member of the expedition.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 7,8,9,10,11,12